Jos Buttler welcomes Brendon McCullum and confirms Jofra Archer, Mark Wood’s return for 1st T20I vs India

The Jos Buttler-led England national cricket team has already arrived in India for the crucial limited-overs series, which begins on Wednesday, January 22, with the opening five-match T20I series at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata.

This series will mark the beginning of Brendon McCullum’s era as England’s white ball head coach. The ECB appointed Brendon McCullum as England’s all-match coach in September last year, with Jos Buttler hailing the new coach ahead of the five-match T20I series against Team India.

We need to build an alliance between coach and captain: Jos Buttler to Brendon McCullum

Ahead of the first T20I match, Buttler highlighted the importance of developing a strong partnership between coach and captain for the success of the England cricket team. Jos Buttler said that McCullum is not new to the team, as the New Zealander was included in the Test team.

Also Read: Harry Brook Officially Appoints England White Ball Co-Captains Ahead Of India Series

Buttler also revealed that their playing XI is all but settled, with a final check on several bowlers, while he confirmed that Phil Salt will keep wicket for the tourists. The England cricket team captain also confirmed that Phil Salt and Ben Duckett will open for the tourists in the upcoming T20I series in India.

Jos Buttler said at a press conference in Kolkata: “We have to build a coach-captain alliance. Of course, he is not new and has been around in the red ball setting. But it’s good to have him in the cue ball setting. Decided XI, just want to see a few bowlers today. Phil Salt will keep the door.”

Jofra Archer and Mark Wood will play in the Kolkata T20I

Buttler also confirmed that Jofra Archer and Mark Wood will return in the first T20I at Eden Gardens. The England captain added: “Ben Duckett will play Salta fine. Jofra will play; Wood will play.”

Notably, England’s number one pacer, Mark Wood, has been sidelined since August with a stress fracture in his right elbow, while Jofra Archer continues to recover from injuries to his bowling arm and back. However, the Barbadian pacer has been playing white-ball cricket during his recovery.

Also Read: Ahead of India series, Brendon McCullum takes away Jos Buttler’s…

Earlier, Brendon McCullum said of Mark Wood and Jofri Archer: “Even though the lads are fit, firing and enjoying playing, you don’t want to hold them back. I wouldn’t imagine we’d get too involved with that cotton wool treatment.”

Jos Buttler hails Jacob Bethell as exciting talent ahead of T20I series

Meanwhile, Jos Buttler hailed young batting sensation Jacob Bethell as an exciting talent. The England captain said the left-handed batsman has a strong mindset and said it was great to see Bethell perform in New Zealand.

Notably, the 21-year-old batsman made an outstanding Test debut last month, amassing 260 runs in just three Tests against New Zealand at an average of 52 and a strike rate of 75. Jacob Bethell scored fifties in all three Test matches during his debut series against the Black Caps.

Apart from playing three Tests for England, Bethell also played 8 ODIs and 7 T20Is. Buttler signed off saying: “Jacob Bethell is an exciting talent. He has been talked about for some time now because of the talent he possesses. He has a good head on his shoulders. It was fantastic to watch him in New Zealand.”